This paper examines the impact of assessment and instructional practices in a compressed-format physics abroad program for life science students from a large U.S. university system. Using qualitative case study methodology, the study investigated the major pedagogical functions of assessments and their implications on student learning across three international sites. Findings from interviews, focus groups, and survey responses of international physics instructors indicated that instructors accommodated the unique program format and student cohort by fostering a highly supportive and collaborative environment for frequent formative assessments, feedback, and intervention. These pedagogical developments provide students the opportunity to learn physics intensively and gain disciplinary, metacognitive, and intercultural understanding.